โ† New Zealand guidesCards & tickets

The Site Safe passport and SiteWise, explained

20 August 2026ยท5 min read

Unlike Australia, New Zealand has no single legally mandated construction induction card. HSWA simply requires workers to be trained and competent. In practice, that competency is shown through the Site Safe Foundation Passport, and a company's overall health and safety system is often graded through SiteWise โ€” and between them they function as the ticket onto most managed sites.

The Site Safe passport

The Site Safe Foundation Passport (Building Construction) is the most widely recognised construction health and safety induction in the country. Most main contractors require a current passport before you can work on their site, so for anyone doing construction work it's effectively essential even though the Act doesn't name it.

SiteWise

SiteWise is a prequalification grading scheme run by Site Safe. Principals frequently ask contractors for a SiteWise grade as evidence their health and safety system is fit for purpose before awarding work. Keeping your grade current โ€” and the documents behind it โ€” is part of winning work.

Keeping it current

Passports and tickets expire, and a lapsed one can stop a worker at the gate. The practical goal is a single view of who holds what and when it runs out, so you're never scrambling on the morning of a job.

Questions, answered

Does New Zealand have a White Card?

No. That's an Australian requirement. In New Zealand, competency is shown through training such as the Site Safe Foundation Passport, and site access is governed by the main contractor's requirements and the SSSP.

Is SiteWise mandatory?

No, SiteWise is a prequalification scheme rather than a legal requirement โ€” but many principals require a SiteWise grade before they'll engage a contractor, so it's often necessary to win work.

Track every worker's Site Safe passport

Complys holds each worker's Site Safe passport, licences and tickets in a digital profile and flags anything expiring before site access โ€” free for 90 days.

Start your free 90-day trial

More New Zealand guides

The Site Safe passport and SiteWise, explained | Complys New Zealand